Request for Funding Assistance in Delivery of Canada Day Celebrations

Subject: Request for Funding Assistance in Delivery of Canada Day Celebrations for the Western Communities - July 1, 2017

Dear Mayor and Councillors,

Since 2001 Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites of Canada has been organizing annual Canada Day Celebrations for the Western Communities. Prior to 2001 this event had been organized, since 1983, by the West Shore Chamber of Commerce, although we had always been involved in the planning and delivery of this event. This year the site’s staff will again be organizing July 1st celebrations for the West Shore.

Last year’s Canada Day event proved to be very successful and over 6,500 local residents and visitors came to the site to help us celebrate our nation’s birthday. Equally heartening was the support shown for this event by local businesses, organizations and the West Shore municipalities.

Planning for Canada Day 2017 has already begun. We will, as always, be relying heavily on the assistance of many volunteers from our community to deliver this event and tentative commitments of voluntary services have already been received from the Band of the 5th (B.C.) Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery. Staff from the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre have also tentatively agreed to present children’s activities for the day in exchange for free passes to the sites for children enrolled in their Summer Day Camp programs and we feel certain Thrifty Foods will once again donate the huge birthday cake they have so generously provided each Canada Day for many years.

While we are confident that we can provide an enjoyable Canada Day event at very limited expense, the reality is that some costs will be unavoidable. To be able to cover these costs we are seeking funding to a total of approximately $4,650.00 to cover expected expenditures. Below is a list of last year’s expenditures.

• Shuttle bus rental- $1000.00
• Tent rentals- $1000.00
• First Aid Service- $450.00
• Performer costs- $600.00
• Food & water for volunteers- $100.00
• Advertising- $500.00
• 3 Commissionaires to run parking and security- $1000.00

Total -$4650.00

I would like to request that the council of the Town of View Royal consider providing funding in the amount of $750.00 to assist in the delivery of this event. This year funding assistance is in the form of a cheque made out to the Receiver General For Canada that should be sent here to the sites. I would also like to extend an invitation to the mayor or member of council to attend the event on behalf of your community. Please RSVP before June 15.

As always, in kind donations would also be greatly appreciated. If your municipality has tents, or other materials which could be loaned for this event it would save considerable expense.

Please note that entry to Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites will be free on July 1, and the sites will cover the costs (including overtime) of staff involved in the planning and delivery of this event.

If you would like to discuss the Canada Day event in greater detail, please feel free to contact me by telephone at (250) 478-5849 or by e-mail at robert.campbell@pc.gc.ca

Sincerely,

Robert Campbell Senior Heritage Communications Officer Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites of Canada